Electronic defenses for the M5

1378 Views 10 Replies 8 Participants Last post by E55AMG, Jul 27, 2005

bernhtp

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2005

Now that my M5 is ordered, I need to plan the installation of electronic defenses against those forces determined to take my pleasure and drivers license. I would love to get feedback on what people consider state of the art, but here are my initial thoughts:

1. Valentine 1. This still appears to be the best radar detector. Given that it operates best mounted high, what is the best unobstrusive installation available for the E60?

2. Laser jammer. Lidatek, Blinder or other? What is the best configuration given the large air **** in front? I used to believe that only front transmitters were required, but State Troopers are now regularly shooting laser from on-ramp shoulders hidden on the other side of overpasses at your rear as you pass.

3. Delimit? When #1 and #2 fail you, it's nice to have a #3. It makes me think of the old saying "out of sight, out of mind." While certainly not aspiring to become a Rodney King, judicious use of the delimited M5 can certainly get you out of sight pretty effectively. What are the plans of the varous chip vendors?

Anything else I should consider?

Tom

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AbruzziBoy

· #2 · Jul 27, 2005

I am a true believer of the Valentine One. I have it my current E39 and will quickly install it on my new M5 when I get it. It has saved my buttucks on numerous times on Californina Freeways. It's range and direction finder is amazing and the software is upgradable as new technolgies appear. The one time a CHP pulled me over by using the old fashioned way, by simply pacing me with his radar off, my scruffy terrier licked the officers hand as he asked for my docs. Since he was a dog lover, I got off with a warning.

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Gustav

· #3 · Jul 27, 2005

Real world www.lidatek.com stories M5 stories:

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=47853&highlight=lidatek+works

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=43273&highlight=lidatek+works

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=38364&highlight=lidatek+works

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28558&highlight=lidatek+works

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=26213&highlight=lidatek+works

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Zenith

· #4 · Jul 27, 2005

Delimit? Wouldn't bother - fine is probably better, besides which, it can be a distinctive car (depends how close you get). I'm looking at getting a jammer too - surely by the time you've detected the radar/laser, they've locked onto you?

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MEnthusiast

· #5 · Jul 27, 2005

Tom,
The delimit is the first time I've read something from you that makes me worried. I am hoping you were just trying to be cute. You can't out run a radio, basically the speed of light- even with the mighty M car!

If you want to see how fast beyond 155 she will go (truly beyond 155, not what the speedo says which has the speedo error) then thats one thing. But consider your tires- they may not be rated much beyond 155.

V1 is great. But its passive. So I know you are a smart guy and are likely to be a smart driver so V1+ being alert= good odds.

Jammers. States are now passing laws to make them all illegal. I believe CA has one on laser jammers, NY has one going into effect shortly. They say any device the interferes with law enforcement and they define that by actively interfering, where as a detector does not, it just tells you that there are monitoring signals out there. Frequently the state is allowed to impound your vehicle if you have such a device. While I know there are a lot of people with jammers, my advice will probably not be popular here but it is to avoid this. The odds are you can probably hide it, but if you are found out, you are dead. I think the roving tax collectors now expect that many people have detectors and they do not see them as actively interfering with their jobs, but I think they view jammers differently. Of course, radar jammers are illegal under federal law.

I am very happy with my V1 and highly recommend it. IMHO your best defense resides between your two ears, and you seem to have a good unit there. :wroom: :byebye:

So- what combination did you order?

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bernhtp

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 27, 2005 (Edited)

Jerry,

There is certainly some hyperbole in my delimit missive, but there have been a few times in the past when you get an instant-on blast from a car going/facing the opposite direction and you are faced with the decision of whether to speed up or slow down. I haven’t always taken the former option, especially in my sport bike days. Depending upon the situation, short blasts of speed to find obscurity quickly are sometimes quite useful. However, I definitely would never do anything that would turn into a true chase. Stupid!

Texas thus far has not banned radar detectors or laser jammers. However, your point is noted and any such device clearly needs an off button for sojourns into less enlightened areas of the country.

Gustav, the linked Lidatek testimonials are impressive. Do you recommend two units in the front and one in the rear? Have other E60 M5s had the installation? What is the optimal placement, both inside and out?

What are the best options for discretely mounting a V1?

I picked Silverstone/Silverstone, sport/aluminum, full leather, M multifunction seats, ventilated seats, Sat radio, comfort access (though it sounds like a stupid rip-off), sunshades, HUD – I think everything but fold-down rear seats and heated rears. My calculations show week 36 to be the beginning of Sept assuming beginning at week 1 (not 0). Is this true?

Tom

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MAH

· #7 · Jul 27, 2005

bernhtp said:
Jerry,

There is certainly some hyperbole in my delimit missive, but there have been a few times in the past when you get an instant-on blast from a car going/facing the opposite direction and you are faced with the decision of whether to speed up or slow down. I haven’t always taken the former option, especially in my sport bike days. Depending upon the situation, short blasts of speed to find obscurity quickly are sometimes quite useful. However, I definitely would never do anything that would turn into a true chase. Stupid!

Texas thus far has not banned radar detectors or laser jammers. However, your point is noted and any such device clearly needs an off button for sojourns into less enlightened areas of the country.

Gustav, the linked Lidatek testimonials are impressive. Do you recommend two units in the front and one in the rear? Have other E60 M5s had the installation? What is the optimal placement, both inside and out?

What are the best options for discretely mounting a V1?

I picked Silverstone/Silverstone, sport/aluminum, full leather, M multifunction seats, ventilated seats, Sat radio, comfort access (though it sounds like a stupid rip-off), sunshades, HUD – I think everything but fold-down rear seats and heated rears. My calculations show week 36 to be the beginning of Sept assuming beginning at week 1 (not 0). Is this true?

Tom

Tom,

We will have to have a meeting to see your new car when it arrives. Congrats.

Mark

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Jessem

· #8 · Jul 27, 2005

Discrete mounting

If Jaric Design would get their R&D effort moving to provide Stealth 1 capability for the E60s, it would be the perfect solution, esp. if integrated with HUD.

I have it on my E39 M5 and will move it to my E46 Wagon when I sell the M5. I'll be in withdrawal when my E60 M5 comes!

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Gustav

· #9 · Jul 27, 2005

This is something we will work out this week, Lidatek is sending down two units to M5 E60 owners in Netherlands in the hear future.

I'll be back on this subject

bernhtp said:
Gustav, the linked Lidatek testimonials are impressive. Do you recommend two units in the front and one in the rear? Have other E60 M5s had the installation? What is the optimal placement, both inside and out?

What are the best options for discretely mounting a V1?

I picked Silverstone/Silverstone, sport/aluminum, full leather, M multifunction seats, ventilated seats, Sat radio, comfort access (though it sounds like a stupid rip-off), sunshades, HUD – I think everything but fold-down rear seats and heated rears. My calculations show week 36 to be the beginning of Sept assuming beginning at week 1 (not 0). Is this true?

Tom

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MEnthusiast

· #10 · Jul 27, 2005

Nice Tom. Cant wait for the write up!

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E55AMG

· #11 · Jul 27, 2005

First of all I agree with Jerry. The best line of defense is good eyes, common sense, and then your electronic toys. I know Valentine makes a big deal about unobstructed high mount. I have a custom install that has the display laser etched in my mirror with the electronics mounted somewhere in the rear lecklid. I know the rear seats had to be removed. I never actually saw it. Hmmm, I wonder if it's really there!!! LOL. Anyway, I have suffered no degradation with this stealth install. My lidatek is also wired into the V1 display.

Jerry, I did not know NY was making these illegal?!

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